GetResponse is a broad alternative to ActiveCampaign with webinars and a website builder included in the package. If you run events or courses alongside your email marketing, GetResponse bundles more tools in one subscription.
This guide covers everything you need to migrate from ActiveCampaign to GetResponse without losing subscribers or breaking your automations. Estimated time: half a day to a full day.
What transfers and what does not
| Item | Transfers? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and email addresses | Yes | Via CSV export/import |
| Tags and segments | Partial | Export as custom fields, remap on import |
| Custom field data | Partial | Transfers if mapped correctly during import |
| Unsubscribe history | Yes | Import as suppressed contacts |
| Email templates | No | Need to be rebuilt in GetResponse |
| Automation workflows | No | Need to be rebuilt from scratch |
| Campaign history | No | Historical stats stay in ActiveCampaign |
| CRM/deal data | No | GetResponse does not have a built-in CRM |
ActiveCampaign has a built-in CRM. GetResponse does not. Deal data, pipeline stages, and sales notes cannot be migrated. If you rely on ActiveCampaign's CRM, you will need a separate CRM solution after the switch.
Step-by-step migration guide
Sign up at www.getresponse.com before doing anything else. Keep your ActiveCampaign account running throughout the migration: do not cancel it until everything is confirmed working in GetResponse.
Add your domain to GetResponse and follow the DKIM authentication instructions. This improves deliverability and ensures your emails arrive in inboxes, not spam folders. Complete this before importing any contacts.
In ActiveCampaign, go to your audience and export your full contact list as a CSV. Make sure to include all custom fields, tags, and segments. Export your unsubscribed contacts separately: you will need to suppress these in GetResponse to stay compliant.
Upload your CSV into GetResponse and map each column to the correct field. Import your unsubscribed contacts as suppressed. Review the import report carefully before proceeding: fix any mapping errors before building automations.
Screenshot or document all your active automations in ActiveCampaign before rebuilding them in GetResponse. Start with your highest-priority flows: typically your welcome series and any active nurture sequences. Do not activate them until you have tested them with your own email address.
Build your signup forms in GetResponse and replace the ActiveCampaign embed codes on your website. Test each form to confirm subscribers land in the right list and trigger the correct automation.
Send a test campaign to yourself. Trigger your automations manually. Check every link. Confirm your unsubscribe flow works correctly. Only cancel ActiveCampaign once you are fully satisfied that GetResponse is working as expected.
Once GetResponse is fully operational, cancel your ActiveCampaign account. Check your billing date to avoid being charged for another month. Download any historical reports or data you want to keep before cancelling.
The bottom line
GetResponse makes sense if you want an all-in-one platform with webinars and landing pages. ActiveCampaign is stronger on automation depth and CRM, so only switch if those specific features (not automation power) are driving your decision.
Not sure GetResponse is the right destination? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz for a personalized recommendation.